Lulu
Lulu is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous warrior, light, or pearl.
Origin and history
Lulu originated as a pet form of names starting with Lu-, such as Louise, Luella, or Lucy, and also independently means 'pearl' in Arabic. It gained significant popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and has seen a mild vintage resurgence in recent years. Today, it is chosen both as a standalone given name and as a playful nickname.
Popularity in the United States
12,709 babies in the United States have been named Lulu since 1880. It ranks #1429 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1756.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.4 %)
- PA (13.2 %)
- CA (12.6 %)
- OH (8.2 %)
- IL (8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 3,253 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,659 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,376 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,484 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,221 |
| 1930-1940 | 647 |
| 1940-1950 | 276 |
| 1950-1960 | 213 |
| 1960-1970 | 145 |
| 1970-1980 | 113 |
| 1980-1990 | 31 |
| 1990-2000 | 79 |
| 2000-2010 | 302 |
| 2010-2019 | 565 |
| 2020-2029 | 345 |
Famous people named Lulu
- Lulu Wang: Director, Screenwriter
Fun facts
- In Arabic, the word Lulu (Lulua) translates directly to 'pearl'.
- Lulu was a top 100 name in the United States during the late 1880s.